Tripredacus

You should post some of the things you have tried.

I think it is technically possible. I have read that you can force the OOBE application to hide the page... but this would be going against what the OS is designed to do. I would not use it in an enterprise environment. What is the trouble a local account would create?

Looks like you posted this question all over the place! This looks like a good start: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windowsserver/en-US/8617d344-e43b-4bd1-afc6-1eff45ad4fe1/ad-corruption-thanks-for-your-help?forum=winservergen

This has been a problem over the life of the product. I've not seen it personally myself, so I have not been able to find out what exactly is going on. If anyone knows a sure-fire way to get Windows 8.x to be stuck in this "black screen with cursor" state, I can try to replicate and troubleshoot. PS: It isn't always caused by an update. Sometimes you can install a program and have this happen. One user recently reported this happening with the StartIsBack trial. So I think it might be a symptom of a larger problem and you can have different scenarios to trigger it.

Honestly, this is how it should be done.... block everything with exceptions. Firewalls seem to be set as block all incoming but don't block outgoing. I suppose this is to make up for the mass amount of people that don't know how to computer. Of course, most of any infections are because a person clicks on something or goes to a website.

The link still doesn't work for me... It is probably because my Live account isn't a traditional one... I don't think I have email associated with it. If you could take a screenshot and upload it to an image hosting site like Photobucket or Imgur, it may help others who do not have an email there come up with some ideas. For example, if it is just an image, some browsers (or add-ons) allow you to block single images.

What is "the application" and how is it installed?

Like I said, you probably can't extend a mirror. The WinSxS thing is one example of what could be temporary or unneeded files. Check it out.

Not to add any confusion to the subject already... but the terms "Windows" is being used interchangeably with "WinPE" which is in the title. My question is what kind of difference is there when booting a WinPE or a real Windows in UEFI mode? Typically, Windows needs extra partitions and special GUIDs to boot properly, but WinPE does not, when booting from any sort of media. Of course, I may be wrong and maybe a regular Windows can boot in UEFI mode from a single partition, but in my testing this hasn't been the case.

Came across a strange websites with fake Windows 95 messages. There is only 4 pages of it at the time I post this. Here is one example: Or this: The site is safe for work, however some of the things you might find a little creepy. http://windows95tips.com/

I think I have read about 10 pages of the UEFI 2.3.1 spec.

The page can be hidden by providing user account information in the answer file. Which edition of Windows 7 are you using?

Its funny for sure... I recall a Microsoft KB article once saying that referred to the cause being a "Hardware or Software error." I cannot find it now, as it has likely been revised to read something different. It is still a joke about the office when we can't find the answer to something. Someone will say "It is probably just a hardware or software error."

On the Subscriber Downloads page on MSDN, it is usually in the name of the item. I just went there and see (for example) "Windows 8.1 with Update (multiple editions) (x64) - DVD (English-United Kingdom)" provides VL and Retail downloads. Neither of these are applicable for OEM/SBK. OEM source ISO is not available from MSDN and I'd guess the product keys you are using as from the OEM SBK. You should really be using that media to create your image. What does the OS name line say on your COAs?

That example placeholder thing would be GREAT, but they definately need to do that strike-out google thing. Just for funs.

It likely isn't. A mirror uses 2 disks. Even if you are using Software mirror from Disk Management, this is the case. A mirror means that one disk is copied to another disk, hence creating a mirror. This design is for a redundancy so that if one disk fails, it can be replaced and recreate the mirror. If you had a server with the OS on a JBOD and that disk failed, you would lose all the data and have to start over unless you kept a disk image backup. Even on the higher-end RAID controllers (which I doubt you have) you can't extend a RAID1 that I have seen. Personally, I ran into a space issue on a server a couple years ago. It had a RAID5 and there was no way for me to add space to it based on software and controller limitations. My only option was to build a new server with more space and then copy everything over. Sometimes that is just the way things work out, especially when you don't get to use the best (scalable) options because of cost or time (implementation) considerations. So for your specific problem, I would start doing some research on what exactly is taking up that space and see if it can be removed. You might be dealing with files that are not necessary, like temporary files or leftover installers.

Retail, OEM/SBK, KMS, MAK?

I'm guessing it is your server that can't add more disks. I looked at pictures online of your model and it appears that it only has room for two disks, and you have two already in your RAID1. It is not true that all 1U chassis can only have 2 disks! 2U gives you more flexibility as maybe you can have 4-6 disks if no ODD, or some may allow for this with slim-type drive used in notebooks. Anyways, it would appear that your current usage of the server is outliving its original design. Small pedestal servers may give enough options for future expansion... or there are the 3U and larger types used for LARGE data storage (outside of library systems).... Another option, (maybe) without having to buy new servers... maybe you can look and see if you can start storing some of this data on a network share of another computer?

ActiveX Filtering seems to be the official way. From its description, it will block the loading of anything loaded by an ActiveX control... which technically will disable autoplay of videos. You'll have to try it out and see if it is what you are looking for. http://ie.microsoft.com/testdrive/browser/activexfiltering/about.html

I'm not sure how long it takes to make an update, but I do know that it takes 2-3 weeks for a "Fast Publish" KB to go live on the site. If anything, MS should "fast publish" some sort of info when an Update becomes available... even if it is something general about the update and a line about checking back when the KB article is complete. But honestly, you would think it would be easier to make the KB page than to make the update... Like they could be sitting on a draft of it while doing update testing (I am presuming they do this lol) and then once they put the update on WU, then push the article to the site. If I were to bet, I would bet that the people who work on the KB and the people who work on the actual WU/Update files are two different departments.

Well it looks like your server is a 1U, and you likely can't even add any additional disks into the system. Certainly you can add a network drive to the system. What is the purpose for this server? What roles and applications are installed that could potentially be taking up this space?

Is this from within an app or just by going to the website with a browser? I can't actually log into outlook.com... it gives me an error. Can you post a screenshot of what you are seeing?

There doesn't appear to be anything in the answer file which would cause OOBE from not presenting the product key page. So presuming the OP had not left out any data, it would be best to fix what can be found as being "wrong." It is possible to remark XML, that would be better used instead of adding "junk" objects. The only thing I wonder about, is whether Setup can parse through CDATA without causing a problem. I never tried it. EDIT: What type of license does the OS use?

That post has been removed.

Why are you specifying SkipAutoActivation to be false when this is the default setting? It should be removed. So should SkipRearm set to 0, this is also the default setting. What was the source installation media to create your images?